5 breeds you may not know

HERE at H&H Towers, we like to think we know a bit about horses, but every day new facts surprise us. Did you know that William Fox-Pitt once contested a World Championship on a rare breed mare? Or that a Polish pony is being used to restore British wetland habitats? Brazil’s national horse numbers over half a million in its own land – but just one has found its way to our shores. Our competition arenas may be full of Connies, Dutch Warmbloods and thoroughbreds, but looking further afield, here are five unusual breeds with their own USPs.

Marwari

IN A NUTSHELL: an indigenous breed descended from an Indian warhorse, with “curly” ears touching at the tips. The breed is thought to go back to 2000BC.

HEIGHT: 15hh–16hh

although there are none in England, they are not on any rare breeds list. They almost became extinct in the mid-20th century, but have been revived by the Indigenous Horse